H1N1 preparation in Saskatoon Health Region 'unacceptable', says HSAS president

"The president of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) says the Saskatchewan Party government has not done enough to ensure Saskatoon has adequate health professionals for an H1N1 outbreak. According to Chris Driol, speaking at a news conference Tuesday morning, there are not enough respiratory therapists in the city to meet the expected demand during an H1N1 flu outbreak. "This is unacceptable," said Driol. "Saskatchewan residents who become acutely ill need the best possible care. That's what putting patients first is all about." According to Driol, Saskatoon's standard operating procedure requires one respiratory therapist for every four to six ventilators. The current staffing in the Saskatoon Health Region has one therapist for every six to eight ventilators. While Driol says the health region has added 37 beds and has increased the amount of ventilators to 90, the human resources required to manage the ventilators is 'woefully inadequate."" - Star Phoenix